The government has ordered the closure of 348 baording sections in primary schools in 15 counties: Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Kitui, Makueni, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Machakos, Isiolo, and Nairobi.
This is after a routine, comprehensive compliance assessment carried out between the months of September and October 2024 by the Ministry of Education (State Department of Basic Education) revealed that these schools were not approved to host boarding facilities for the pupils.
According to the statement, copied to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Teachers Service Commission, some of the schools did not meet the safety standards and the standards as per the Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021).
“An assemnet exercise to establish the state of compliance to safety standards for all boarding primary schools in the country was carried out in the months of September and October 2024.”
“The assertion established that some institutions grossly contravened the provisions of the Safety Standards Mnaua for Schools in Kenya (2008). Further, they did not adhere to the standards as prescribed in the Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021). A total of Three Hundred and Forty-eight (348) schools of those assessed were consequently not approved to host the boarding learners,” said Dr. Belio Kipsang, Pricipal Secretary for Basic Education.
The management of those schools has been directed to close down all the boarding sections, pending re-registration under strict guidelines. They have also been advised to notify the affected parents in advance for an alternative arrangement for their children.
“The purpose of this circular therefor is to direct you to close down the boarding sections of all schools within your jurisdiction that were not approved as per the attached list. Re-opening of the boarding sections should strictly be upon a re-registration process. You are required to ensure that affected parents are informed in good time for them to make alternative arrangements for their children.”
The safety of pupils in boarding primary schools has been a bone of contention of late in Kenya. This after more than 20 pupils died in an inferno at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kirinyaga County, leaving multiple of them seriously injured. The incident raised many questions as to whether the government has been enforcing compliance or it is balme on the side of school or parents.
